The escarpment in the hilly countryside of Karinga, Murang’a County, is a breathtaking sight, especially for first-time visitors. The surrounding natural habitat is a clear indicator of the area’s fertile soil, as farming is the primary economic activity for residents. However, one particular crop seems to thrive in this area: tea.
Sprawling hectares of tea plantations appear to be wilting, while others exude a refreshing, evergreen aura. But there is cause for concern — abandoned tea collection centers dot the area, appearing to have been out of service for quite some time.
“Tea grows well in this area, so most people cultivate it. However, it doesn’t do well during the prolonged cold season that we are in. Instead of growing food crops like maize for human consumption, it’s often used as animal feed, even though there’s a viable market for it,” explains our host, Peter Macharia, a resident of the area.
Even with other farmers facing challenges due to low and slow tea production, Macharia continues to thrive, having turned his farm into a profitable business.
At his family-owned farm, he has set up a market garden using hydroponics to grow produce for consumption and sale. Additionally, he has ventured into animal husbandry — raising ducks, rabbits, and goats for meat and milk production — which has proven to be profitable for him.
However, a couple of years ago, Macharia’s business venture did not involve farming at all. He used to work as a hotelier, owning his local café before COVID-19 hit.
“Due to COVID-19 restrictions, I had to close down my café and try hydroponics for a change. Unfortunately, it ended up being a failed project since I was not familiar with it. When I got the opportunity to apply for a KCB scholarship, I chose the agriculture course to learn more about hydroponics,” states Macharia.
The scholarship by KCB Foundation, dubbed the Tujiajiri program, was rolled out across not just Kenya but several other East African countries.
Established in 2016, the program is dedicated to fostering and nurturing new and existing enterprises within the informal sector through vocational training, business development services, and market linkages. The primary goal of the program is to facilitate the growth and formalization of enterprises, ultimately leading to the generation of employment opportunities.
In 2023, Macharia completed a 3-month upskilling program, graduated, and was awarded a startup capital of Ksh. 180,000 to launch his business venture.
“The money I received helped me establish the farm. I bought rabbits, ducks, and goats. Some of the money was used to cover expenses in preparing the land for that season’s production. I also purchased a motorcycle to facilitate the delivery of the produce to the market,” he explains.
Macharia takes pride in the fact that his farm is not only a source of income for him but also others in his community, having employed three farm helpers.
His social media platform has also enabled him to connect with an audience and help struggling farmers as well.
“The cold season makes tea farming unproductive, affecting the livelihoods of many people who depend on it for income, especially the youth. I have been able to employ a few young people in the community, which I see as a significant achievement,” he states.
Macharia distributes the produce across a variety of market settings and also supplies established buyers in Thika, Kiganjo, and other markets.
Macharia is particularly enthusiastic about his rabbit farm, as it has proven to be a lucrative and sustainable business. Compared to other livestock farming, rabbits are low-maintenance animals with a low capital investment to start up as well. They can multiply rapidly, giving birth to between 6 and 10 kits (baby rabbits) in one go.
“I raise rabbits specifically for their meat, and I have established connections with various markets and cafes where I sell the meat. A kilogram of rabbit meat is priced at Ksh. 400 and boasts numerous health benefits,” he explains.
As a business venture, rabbit keeping is a very lucrative venture. They are able to reproduce seven times a year, which translates into good income with successful breeding.
Rabbit meat is also nutritious, containing a high percentage of easily digestible protein with low fat and calorie content. However, despite the benefits, not many people in Macharia’s locality consume it, posing a challenge for him.
“Not a lot of people know the potential of rabbit keeping as a business venture as well as the health benefits of consuming its meat,” he says.
Macharia’s ultimate goal is to share his expertise in rabbit farming with other farmers, enabling them to turn it into a thriving business.
“I aim to build connections within the community through rabbit farming. I plan to launch a café where people can not only savor but also purchase rabbit meat. Moreover, I am keen on imparting my knowledge to fellow farmers in the area who are eager to delve into farming, especially rabbit farming, as a business venture,” says Macharia.
His advice to the youths like himself is to make use of the opportunities they get to better their lives.
To date, more than 29,712 youths have received technical and entrepreneurial training through the KCB Foundation Tujiajiri program.
